COONAWARRA wineries have received an influx of international visitors this year with people from across the world interested in the wine making process.
A group of international winemakers have made the journey from across the globe to immerse themselves in the Coonawarra region during vintage season.
Winemakers from Britain, Spain, America, France, Bulgaria, Belgium, Hungary, Indonesia and Italy are learning new skills while working closely with local winemakers in their wineries.
Coonawarra Vignerons president Pete Balnaves said it was always great to have internationals in the area.
“It adds to our vintage experience and wine making,” Mr Balnaves said.
“The international winemakers that come to Coonawarra for vintage become Coonawarra and Australian wine ambassadors.”
Gianni Santini from Italy has completed a degree in viticulture in Florence and is currently working as a cellar door hand at Balnaves of Coonawarra.
“I have come to Coonawarra for work experience and to improve my skills,” Mr Santini said.
“I am enjoying Penola as it is a quiet town and is similar to the countryside in Italy that I grew up in.”
For Bulgarian Iskra Varbanova it is her third time back to the area.
“I am an assistant winemaker at Wynns Coonawarra Estate, and I keep coming back because I love the people and it is a great community to gain experience from,” Ms Varbanova said.
French winemaker Leonore Salancon said she travelled to the area as she heard Coonawarra produced the best cabernet in the world.
“It has been valuable to experience the different wine making processes and extend my knowledge,” Ms Salancon said.
Mr Balnves said many of the past vintage participants kept in touch and were now making wine in their own right somewhere around the world.
